Cricket is not widely played by girls, but there is no game which might be adopted to better advantage. It may be played without any danger of over-exertion. A cricket crease may be placed on any level grassy field, usually a ground 100 yards square, although a smaller field may be utilized. The equipment required includes two sets of wickets, a cricket ball, at least two bats, the wicket-keeper gloves and leg guards, and a leg guard for each of two batsmen who are in. There are eleven players on each team and the game is divided into innings; that is, a side has its inning when it is at the bat. Two batsmen are “in” at a time.

The wickets are set in the middle of the field, opposite, parallel and 22 yards apart. On a line with the wicket is the bowling crease, 8 feet 8 inches in length. Four feet in front and parallel to it is the popping crease, of unlimited length.

The batsman who is first striker takes her position with bat on the popping crease, the bowler at the opposite wicket, well behind bowling crease; also the second batsman, bat in hand, ready to run when hit is made. The bowler delivers the ball. It must be bowled, not thrown, tossed, or jerked. The bowler is allowed a run in her delivery, but she must keep one foot on the ground behind the bowling crease and within the return crease, otherwise it is no ball.

The bowler must deliver the ball so that it shall come to the batsman on the ground. If it is delivered high or wide, the umpire shall call “wide ball.” Six good balls make an “over;” the bowler shall be allowed to change ends when she pleases, provided she has not bowled two “overs” consecutively in one inning. The captain of the outs places the field as she deems wise, depending upon the skill of the batsman.

The striker hits the ball; if it is caught before it touches the ground she is out; if the wicket is knocked down by a bowled ball she is out. If she hits it safe she runs to the return crease and the other batsman runs to the opposite popping crease and a run is scored. If the hit is long enough the batsmen continue to run, and each time they exchange creases a run is counted. The fielders endeavor to get the ball and throw in to the wicket-keeper in order to knock off the bails before the batsman touches her bat to the ground within the crease. When the bail is knocked off in this manner the batsman is out. When a batsman is out for any cause she is retired for the inning, and the side is retired when ten of the eleven strikers are declared out.

Usually in the matches for girls only one inning for each team is played, although the rules call for two and three-day matches. The game affords ample opportunity for outdoor exercise and muscular activity. For a full description, see Spalding’s “How to Play Cricket.”

Cricket has been successfully played by girls. Miss Dorothy Wooster writes the following short article and gives a diagram and score card showing how the game is played at Smith College.